With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to
ratification, I transmit herewith the Agreement between the Government
of the United States of America and the Government of Canada on Pacific
Hake/Whiting (the "Agreement"), done at Seattle, November 21, 2003. I
am also enclosing, for the information of the Senate, the report of the
Secretary of State on the Agreement.

The Agreement establishes, for the first time, agreed percentage
shares of the transboundary stock of Pacific hake, also known as
Pacific whiting. It also creates a process through which U.S. and
Canadian scientists and fisheries managers will recommend the total
catch of Pacific hake each year, to be divided by a set percentage
formula. Stakeholders from both countries will have significant input
into this process.

The Agreement not only allows the Parties to redress the
overfishing that had led to a recent decline in stock levels, but also
provides long-term stability for U.S. fishers and processors and a
structure for future scientific collaboration.

The recommended legislation necessary to implement the Agreement
will be submitted separately to the Congress.

I recommend that the Senate give favorable consideration to this
Agreement and give its advice and consent to ratification at an early
date.